Valve mechanism



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Patented Mar. 2, 1943 VALVE MECHANISM Herbert Harvey, ALos Angeles,Calif., assigner to Leo M. Harvey, La Canada, Calif.

Application August 14, 1940, Serial No. 352,585

Claims. (Cl. 137-139) This invention relates to valve mechanisms andrelates more particularly to a self-regulating valve means for a uidpressure line. A general object of this invention is to provide asimple, inexpensive and dependable valve means that assures the deliveryof a given quantity of fluid in a given period of time in situationswhere the pressure of the fluid source may vary greatly from time totime.

In Acommercial clothes washing machines it is desirable to deliver givenor known quantities of hot and cold water to the machines for thevarious cyclic or stage washing operations. A copending application ofthis applicant discloses a control mechanism for washing machines thatcontrols the valve means and other elements of the machine for the stageor cyclic washing operations. In cases where the hot and cold watersources operate to supply water to the machine at uniform pressures theopening of the hot and cold water valves for given periods provides forthe delivery of given quantities of water to the machine. However,commercial washing machines are usually installed Where the pressures atthe hot and cold water sources vary greatly so that the mere opening ofa valve for a given period cannot assure the delivery of a givenquantity of water to the machine. The supply lines for washing machinesare quite large and the provision of effective pressure regulatingvalves in each water line in addition to the remote controlled cut ofl'valves, greatly increases the cost of the installation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a single valve means fora water supply line of a commercial washing machine, or the like, thatserves to assure the delivery of a given quantity of water to themachine during a given period when it is open, even though the waterpressure may vary greatly.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve means of thecharacter referred to that may be opened and closed by a remote controlmechanism and that operates to meter or measure the water delivery sothat a-given quantity of Water is discharged during a given period,irrespective of fluctuations in the water supply pressure, thus servingboth asa control valve and a measuring valve and eliminating thevnecessity for an expensive pressureA regulatingv valve in the Watersupply line. u e Y Another object of'tln's invention is to provideavalve means of the character referred tothat is lected point in thesupply line, for example, at the washing machine.

A further object of. this invention is to provide a valve means of thecharacter referred to that is accurate in operation, serving todischarge substantially equal quantities of fluid during equal periodsof time in installations where the supply pressure varies through a widerange, and that is adjustable or regulable to adapt it for effective usein situations where the ranges of pressure variations are widelydierent.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred Aform and application of my invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved valve means provided by thisinvention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged, vertical, detailed sectional viewtaken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1 with the main valve closed.Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view taken asindicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2 with the main valve open, and Fig. 4 isa vertical detailed sectional view of the pressure responsive means fordetermining the position of the main closure.

The valve means of the present invention may be said to comprise,generally, alvalve body III adapted to be connected in a uid supply lineL, a piston type closure I I in the body I0 responsive to fluidpressure, means I2 for applying iiuid pressure to the closure Iltooperate -the same, an electrically operated pilot valve I3 controllingsaid means I2 to open and close the closure II, and means I4 responsiveto the pressure 'in the fluid supply line L for regulating said means I2to vary the open position or setting of lthe closure II. I

The valve body III is a hollow `structure having a main iiuid chamberI5. An inletiifting' or part I 6 projects from-one side of the body.. I0and an outlet part Il projects fromr the otherside of the body. The bodyI0 is adapted, tothe lconnected in the water or fiuidpressure supplyline L and the inlet and outlet parts I6 and. I'Im'ay be flangedras.illustrated or may bethreaded to facilitate the `mounting of thevalvefin the line. A curved or-elbow shaped member f. I8 4extendsinwardly from the inlet part I 6 and its inner VendA is directedupwardly in the upper `part ofthe chamber I5. `Avsimilar elbow-likeymembery I9 extends inwardly from the outlet part vIll and has its innerend ydirected. downwardlyv in the compact and capable of installationfatany selower portion of the chamberl. l vThe lower end of the member I9forms a seat for the main closure II, as will be later described. Acylinder extension 20 is provided on the upper end of the body I and itsinterior is considerably smaller in diameter than the chamber I5. Aplunger 2| operates in the cylinder extension 20 with substantialclearance and is provided at its lower end with a sealing ring 22adapted to seal against the upper end of the inlet member I8. Athreaded-on cap 23 closes the upper end of the extension 20 and a coiledspring 24 is arranged under compression between the upper end of theplunger 2| and the cap 23. Gravity and the spring 24 urge the plunger 2|downwardly so that its ring 22 normally seals against the inlet memberI8. The spring-urged plunger 2| sealing against the inlet member I8assures the maintenance of a suicient iiuid pressure in the inlet andthe means I2 for the proper operation of the closure II. A cylindersection 25 is threadedly connected with the lower end of the body I0 andits interior forms an extension of the chamber I5. The cylinder section25 carries the main closure Il.

'I'he closure I is adapted to engage up against the lower end of theoutlet member I3 to cut o the ow of iluid through the valve and isadapted to assume various positions with respect to the member I9 toprovide for the controlled or measured discharge of iiuid. AThe closureII is of the piston type and includes a central main section 2B and -ashaft or stem 21 extending through the section 25 to project from itsopposite ends. Heads 28 are secured on the projecting end portions ofthe stem 21. Oppositely facing cupleathers 29 are clamped between theends of the main section 26 and the heads 28 and slidably seal with theinner wall of the cylinder section 25. The cup-leathers 29 are arrangedto make the closure I| responsive to iluid pressure below, as well asabove, the closure. A sealing ring 30 is recessed in the upper end ofthe upper head 28 and is retained in place by a screw 3| having atapered or frusto-conical head 3|. The sealing ring 30 is adapted toengage upwardly against the lower end of the outlet member I9 to cut offthe ow of uid through the valve.

The fru'sto-conical head 3| is proportioned to enter the lower portionof the outlet member I9 when the valve closure II is in the closedposition, as Well as in various open positions. With the sealing ring 30engaged against the outlet member I9 the ilow through the fluid supplyline L is cut oi. The closure is, in effect, a differential piston whenfully closed and when in a partially closed position. With the closureII in a position such as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, thepressure in the outlet member |9 is less than that in the chamber I sothat the area at the lower end of the closure II exposed to the fluidpressure in the chamber I5 is greater than that on the upper end of theclosure and the'pressure acting on the lower end of the closure urgesthe closure upward toward its closed position. The head 3| forms anextension of the closure that projects into the outlet member I9 at allpositions of the closure to reduce the elective area -of the upper endlof the closure that is exposed to the supply 'of fluid pressure in thechamber I5.

The means I2 is operable to deliver fluid pressure to the lower end ofthe chamber I5 under the closure I I to operate and control the closure.The means I2 comprises a pressure line 33 communicating with the iiuidpressure supply line L or with the high pressure side of the valve andcommunicating with the lower portionof the -chamber I5. A lateral port34 is forxd/in the inlet part I6 and a port 35 is provided in the lowerwall of the cylinder section 25 to communicate with the lower end of thechamber I5. Suitable ttings 38 and 31 connect the ends of the pressureline 33 in the ports 34 and 35 respectively. It will be seen that theline 33 serves to deliver uid pressure to the chamber I5 below theclosure II. With the spring held arm 2| in theclosed position pressurebuilds up in the inlet member IB so that a maximum pressure may beapplied to the under side of the closure |I through the line 33 to holdthe closure in its closed position.

It has been found that the main valve operates more eiectively andwithout chattering when there is a suitable back pressure in thedown-stream side of the line L. Suitable means may be employed toproduce this back pressure, for example, a plate 10 having a restrictedopening may be clamped between the flanged ends of the outlet part I1and the line section connected therewith.

The pilot valve I3 serves to control the main closure II by relievingthe pressure or Ibleeding the pressurefrom the line 33. The valve I3 iselectrically operated |ior convenient remote control and may be suchthat it is either fully open or fully closed. The present invention isnot primarily concerned with the details of the valve I3 as any suitableform of electrically operated or solenoid operated valve may beemployed. In the construction illustrated a T 38 is interposed in thepressure line 33 and a bleed line 39 extends from the lateral arm of the T 38. The -bleed line 39 extends to a selected point of discharge. Inpractice the line 39 may extend to a lateral port 40 in the outlet partI1 to discharge into the down-stream side of the ywater supply system.4

'I'he pilot valve I3 is interposed in the bleed-line 39. Theparticularvalve I3 illustrated comprises a valve Ibody 4| interposed inthe bleed line 39 and having a. transverse partition 42 between itsinlet and outlet sides. A valve member 43 is provided in the body 4| tocontrol a port 44 in the partition 42. A stem 45 is provided on thevalve member 43 and extends upwardly through a gland 45 on the body'4I.A case 4B is mounted above the valve body 4I and housesa solenoid coll41. The armature 48 of the coil 41 is connected with the valve stem 44.

The electrical leads 49 for the control and energization of the coil 41may extend to any se# lected control mechanism, for example, they mayextend to a timing mechanism that is operable to complete the circuit tothe coil 41 at given times land for given intervals. Thus the valve I3is adapted for control .by a timing mechanism or control mechanism thatprovides for the stage operation or cyclic operation of a commercialwashing machine. In the drawing I have shown a simple manual switch 50for controlling the circuit of the solenoid coil 41, it .beingunderstood that this is merely to complete the-showing and is not to beconstrued as limiting. When the coll 41 is de-energized the valve member43 is in its closed position so that the bleed line 39 is closed and'full uid pressure is maintained on the lower end of the closure II tohold the same in its closed position. When the coil 41 is energized thevalve member 43 is moved to its open position and fluid pressure is freeto .bleed out o1' the pressure line 33 through the bleed line 43 so thatthe pressure at the under side of the closure II is relieved and theclosure may move down under the action of the fluid pressure on itsupper end and by gravity. It will be seen that opening and closing ofthe valve I3 results in substantially simultaneous opening and closingof the main closure Il,

I'he means I4 is an important element of the valve system or means. Themeans I4 is res-ponsive to the pressure on the fwater or supply iluid,when the closure II is in an open position, to

yvary the ow through the bleed line 39 and thus control the pressureapplied to the lower end of the main closure II. This bleedflow-regulating action of the means I4 is such that a decrease inpressure on the supply fluid results in .an increase in flow through thebleed line 39 so that the main closure II opens wider and an increase inthe pressure on the supply uid results in a decrease in the ilow throughthe bleed line 39 so that the main closure II is moved toward 'itsclosed position to reducethe ilow through the outlet part I1. Thus themeans I4 controls the main closure I I through the medium of the bleedflow to provide for the ow or discharge of a given volume of water orfluidfor any given time interval regardless of the pressure on thesupply uid and regardless of variations in this pressure.

The means I4 comprises'a flow regulating valve connected in the'bleedline 39. The type and' trolled by the switch 50 or a timing mechanism.The closure II may normally occupy its closedl position where thesealing ring engages against the lower end of the member I9. With theclosure II in this position the sealing ring 22 of the plunger 2| sealsagainst the inlet member I3 and the valve member 43 of the means I3 isclosed. Energization of the solenoid coil 41 results in opening of theclosure member I I.- When the coil 41 is energized the valve member 43is moved-to its open position and iluid pressure is free to bleed fromthe pressure' line 33 through the bleed line 39. This reduces the uidpressure applied to the lower end of the` closure II and the closuremoves downwardly by gravity and under the action of the uid pressure onits upper end. Opening 0L the closure member Il is accompanied byopening oi the spring held plunger 2l and the I3 results in the ilow ofuid through the bleed greatly without' departing 4from the invention..y'

1n the fer-m of the inventionluustrated.the/reulating valve includes abody 52having a partition -53 between its high pressure passage 54 'andits low pressure passage 55. The valve body 52 is connected in the bleedline 39 to have its passages 54 and 55 communicate therewith. The

partition 53 has a port 56 controlled by a needletype valve member 51. Alower stem 58 of the valve member 51 may be guided -by a plug 59threaded linto the valve body 52. The high pressure passage or inletpassage 54 extends to the top of the body 52. A dome or hollow cap 6l)is secured tothe upper side of the valve body 52. A flexible diaphragm6| is arranged across che upper end ofthe high pressure passage or inletIpassage 54 and may have its edge portion clamped between the cap 60 andthe body 52. The diaphragm 6I separates the passage 54 from the interiorof the head 60. A stem 62 on the valve member 51 is connected 4with thediaphragm 6I so that the diaphragm controls the valve member 51. Theparts are related so that an increase in the iluid pressure acting onthe diaphragm 6I moves the valve member 51 toward its closed Ipo'sition. Regulable spring means acts on the dia phragm 6I to oppose thefluid pressure and to urge the valve member 51' toward its openposition. This spring means may comprise a compression spring 63arranged in the interior of the hollow cap 69 to bear against the upperside of the diaphragm 6I. A screw 64 is threaded through an opening inthe upper `end of the cap 60 and carriesa plate or ring 65 which bearsagainst the upper end of the spring 63. The downward pressure exerted onthe diaphragm 6I by the spring 63 may be regulated or varied byoperating or turning the screw 64. A vent 6B may connect the interior ofthe head 60 with the atmosphere. Y

In operation it will be'assumed thatthe inlet part I6 is connected witha source of fluid under pressure, say water, and that the coil 41 isconline 39 and the pressure on this uid acts upon the diaphragm 6I.Fluid pressure acting on the diaphragm 6I moves-the valve member 51toward its closed position. The position assumed by the valve member 51depends upon the fluid pressure inthe bleed line 39 and, therefore, uponthe pressure on the fluid in the inlet part` I6 andthesupply line. Ifthe iluid pressure in the bleed line 39 is high the valve member 51 ismoved to a position where it greatly restricts the flow through thebleed line and pressure builds up in the bleed line, the supply line I3and thelower part of the chamber I5 under the closure II. This buildingup of pressure under the closure II results in upward movement of theclosure and the closure assumes a position where it restricts thedischarge of iiuid through the outlet member I9. As above described theclosure Il is, in eilect, a diierential piston and is responsive toiiuid pressure applied to its under side. Withthe closure II in aposition Where it. materially restricts the dis-A charge of fluidthrough the outlet member I9 the quantity of uid discharged during agiven period is not proportional to the pressure on the supply of thefluid, this quantity being determined by the position of the closuremember II which in turn is dependent upon the position assumed by thepressure responsive diaphragm operated closure member 51 of the meansI4.

In the event that the Water or fluid is being f lsupplied to the valvemeans under a low pressure when the closure II is open the uid pressurein the bleed* line 39 is, Lof course, proportionately low. When there isa low pressure in the bleed line 39 the spring 63 brings the closuremember 51 to a position where there is a substantial ilow through theport 56, thus allowing a substantial flow through the bleed line`39.

'Ihis relatively free ow through the bleed line 39 produces a markeddecrease in the pressure acting on the under side of the closure II andthe closure assumes a position where there is an increased flow of fluidthrough the outlet member I9. Accordingly, the rate of ow through thevalve means is not reduced because of a reduction in the pressure on thesupply uid but a' given or selected quantity ofy uid is dischargedthrough vthe valve means for a given or selected time. 'I'he screw 64may be adjusted to provide for the proper operation of the valve meansin a situation where the pressure on the supply fluid varies within agiven range.

The valve means of the invention is operable to provide for the deliveryof a given quantity of uid during a given time interval in installationswhere the pressure on the supply fluid varies greatly. The valve meansoperates both as a control valve or cut-off and as a metering ormeasuring'means. 'Ihe inclusion of the automatic regulating means I4 inthe valve stem eliminates the necessity for interposing a large,expensive pressure regulating valve in the supply line ahead of thecut-off valve. The automatic regulating means I4 is small andinexpensive and serves to automatically govern the remotely controlledcut-oil' valve so that the valve operates as a time controlled meteringor measuring valve. The valve means operates without water hammer and isaccurate in its fluid measuring action.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be hunted or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art, or fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Means for controlling delivery from a fluid pressure supply lineincluding a main valve comprising a body interposed in the line, and aclosure movable in the body in response to applied fluid pressure andoperable to cut olf and regulate ow from the supply line, a pressureconduit for conducting fluid pressure from the supply line to the bodyto urge the closure toward its closed position, a bleed line of muchsmaller'fluid capacity than the supply line, and connected with thepressure conduit as an appendage of the body, for bleeding fluidpressure from the pressure conduit, a separate valve in the bleed lineoperable by increased pressure in the bleed Aline to decrease the owthrough the bleed line and operable to allow an increased flow throughthe bleed line upon a reduction in pressure in the bleed line wherebythe closure is made to pass a given volume of iluid in a given timeregardless of the pressure in the supply line, and a separate valve inthe bleed line at the upstream side of the second named valve relativeto the direction of flow in the bleed line for closing the bleed line tocause closing of the closure.

-2. Means for controlling delivery from a fluid prssure supplylineincludinga main valve comprising a body interposed in the line, and aclosure movable in the body in response to applied fluid pressure andoperable to cut off and regulate flow from the supply line, a pressureconduit for conducting fluid pressure from the supply line to the bodyto urge the closure toward its closed position, a bleed line of Amuchsmaller fluid capacity than the supply line, and communicating with thepressure conduit to be an appendage of the body and external thereof,for bleeding uid pressure from the pressure conduit, a separate valve inthe bleed line operable by increased pressure in the bleed line todecrease the ow through the bleed line and operable to allow anincreased flow through the bleed line upon a reduction in pressure inthe bleed line whereby the closure is made to pass a given volume offluid in a given time regardless of the pressure in the supply line, anda separate electrically operated valve in the bleed line at the upstreamside of the second named valve relative to the direction of flow in thebleed line for closing the bleed line to cause closing oi' the closure.

3. Means for controlling delivery from a fluid pressure supply lineincluding a main valve comprising a body interposed in the line, and aclosure movable in the body in response to applied fluid pressure andoperable to cut off and regulate flow from the supply line, a pressureconduit external of the body for conducting fluid pressure from thesupplyline to the body to urge the closure toward its closed position, ableed line of much smaller fluid capacity than the supply line,communicating with the pressure conduit to be an external appendage ofthe body, for bleeding fluid pressure from the pressure conduit, adiaphragm-operated valve in the bleed line separate from the main valveand comprising a diaphragm subjected to the pressure in the bleed line,and a closure operable by the diaphragm to decrease the flow through thebleed line upon an increase in the fluid pressure on the diaphragm andoperable by the diaphragm to allow an increased flow through the bleedline upon a reduction in pressure in the bleed line whereby said closureis made to pass a given volume of fluid in a given time intervalregardless of the pressure in the supply line, and a separate remotelycon'- trolled valve in the bleed line at the upstream side of thediaphragm-operated valve for closing 'the bleed line to cause closing ofsaid closure.

4. Means for controlling delivery from a uid pressure supply lineincluding a main valve comprising a body interposed in the line, and aclosure movable in the body in response to applied fluid pressure andoperable to cut oil and regulateflow from the supply line, a pressureconduit for conducting iluid pressure from the supply line to the bodyto urge the closure towards its closed position, a bleed line of muchsmaller fluid capacity than the supply line, communicating with thepressure conduit to be an external appendage of the body, for bleedingfluid pressure from the pressure conduit, a diaphragm-operated valve inthe bleed line separate from the main valve and comprising a diaphragmsubjected to the pressure in the bleed line, means for regulating saiddiaphragm, and a closure operable by the diaphragm to decrease the ilowthrough the bleed line upon an increase in the fluid pressure on thediaphragm and operable by the diaphragm to allow an increased ilowthrough the bleed line upon a reduction in pressure in the bleed linewhereby said closure is made to pass a given volume of fluid in a giventime interval regardless of the pressure in the supply line, and aseparate remotely controlled valve in the bleed line at the upstreamside of the diaphragm-operated valve for closing the bleed line to causeclosing of said closure.

Means for controlling delivery from a fluid supply line comprising amain valve body having a cylinder chamber, an inlet to the chambercommunicating with the supply line and an outlet from the chamber, apiston type closure in the chamber operable to cut off and regulate owthrough the outlet, a pressure conduit external of the body forconducting fluid pressure from the supply line to the chamber to urgethe closure to its closed position, a bleed line of much smallercapacity than the supply line extending from the pressure conduit to theoutlet, a remotely controlled electrically operated valve external lofsaid body for controlllngvcommunication -beand means for compensatingfor variations in pressure in the supply line to provide for thedischarge of uid from the outlet at a given rate irrespective of suchvariations comprising a diaphragm-operated valve in the bleed lineseparate from the main valve and including a springloaded diaphragmsubjected to the pressure in the bleed line, and a closure operable bythe diaphragm to decrease the flow through the bleed line upon anincrease in the fluid pressure on the diaphragm and operable by thediaphragm to allow an increased ow through the bleed line upon areduction in pressure in the bleed line.

HERBERT HARVEY.

